She is 11 and can drive me crazy at times, but my daughter Maura continues to inspire me every day, both on and off the yoga mat. When her teacher's husband died unexpectedly and tragically earlier this year, Maura suggested a bake sale at her school to raise money for her teacher and her two young children. Maura has such a good heart that her principal, who usually only allows "healthy" snacks, waived her policy for the day, permitting sweet, sticky and very, very unhealthy snacks to be sold in the gym. When people congratulated me on the idea, I told them it was all Maura's and it was. Maura is far kinder and more generous than I am and continually reminds me to open my heart to others.
Maura has also served as inspiration for more than a few yoga class themes. Just yesterday, she arrived home from summer school and sat next to the phone, saying she had asked a friend for a play date and was expecting her to call back. She brushed off an invitation to go swimming, saying she needed to be near the phone in case her friend called. When I arrived back home and her friend still had not called back, I urged Maura to go swimming and enjoy the beautiful day. Maura was hinging her happiness on someone else, sacrificing a chance at fun and frolic and wasting time waiting for the phone to ring. (Incidentally, it never did. Maura called the girl back and learned the day just wasn't going to work, but they arranged a play date for the next day and had a blast).
Maura has plenty of company in the waiting in vain department. We all depend on others to do things...let's face it, certain things like tennis, golf, eating, bowling or going to the movies are best done with other people. But sometimes we need to follow our own hearts and do things by ourselves to be happy.
One of the basic teachings of yoga is aparigraha (non-clinging)...as in, don't cling to objects or people to make you happy. (Example: If I could only get that dress, that car or that house, or if that person would only be my friend, I would be happy). Yoga also teaches that our most important relationship is with a higher power followed by our relationship with ourselves. And sometimes, that is enough.
Maura (in goggles) with her friend Jenny.
Maura has also served as inspiration for more than a few yoga class themes. Just yesterday, she arrived home from summer school and sat next to the phone, saying she had asked a friend for a play date and was expecting her to call back. She brushed off an invitation to go swimming, saying she needed to be near the phone in case her friend called. When I arrived back home and her friend still had not called back, I urged Maura to go swimming and enjoy the beautiful day. Maura was hinging her happiness on someone else, sacrificing a chance at fun and frolic and wasting time waiting for the phone to ring. (Incidentally, it never did. Maura called the girl back and learned the day just wasn't going to work, but they arranged a play date for the next day and had a blast).
Maura has plenty of company in the waiting in vain department. We all depend on others to do things...let's face it, certain things like tennis, golf, eating, bowling or going to the movies are best done with other people. But sometimes we need to follow our own hearts and do things by ourselves to be happy.
One of the basic teachings of yoga is aparigraha (non-clinging)...as in, don't cling to objects or people to make you happy. (Example: If I could only get that dress, that car or that house, or if that person would only be my friend, I would be happy). Yoga also teaches that our most important relationship is with a higher power followed by our relationship with ourselves. And sometimes, that is enough.
Maura (in goggles) with her friend Jenny.
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